Sing Street - Drive It Like You Stole It
By Hannah Schmidt-Rees
“Boy meets girl. Girl unimpressed. Boy starts band.”
A coming-of-age story mixed with musical comedy and drama, Sing Street is a 2016 film directed by John Carney. The story revolves around Conor Lawlor, a young boy living in Dublin in 1985. His parent’s are getting divorced and his father lost his job and in order to save money, Conor is moved from an expensive private school to a Christian Brothers public school, Synge Street CBS.
Along with being the ‘new kid in school’ and dealing with bullying from both teachers and students, Conor meets Raphina, an inspiring model. In order to impress this mysterious girl and escape from his hectic family life, Conor starts a band, saying that he needs a model for the band’s first music video. He then recruits other Synge Street students to become band members and the story begins.
Named Sing Street, Conor’s band creates an escape and a place for experimentation for the characters involved. Conor and Raphina’s relationship deepens with every song they create, and ambitious dreams of leaving Dublin for opportunities in London become realised.
Most of the film’s soundtrack is comprised of original music and accompanied by songs from the 1980s; Duran Duran, A-ha, The Clash and Hall & Oates. I’m a sucker for 1980’s futurist pop and I love the original tracks so much. Drive It Like You Stole It, Riddle of the Model and Up are my personal favourites and are perfect for capturing the mood of the characters and the pop culture of the time.
Masculinity is also tackled on a deeper level, as the interpersonal relationship between Conor and his older brother Brendan is strengthened by Brendan’s help with Conor’s band. Toxic masculinity is also battled at Conor finds conflict in strict rules put in place by the Father of the school. Conor is disciplined when wearing makeup to school and pushing the boundaries of the strict uniform policy.
Most of the film is actually inspired by director Carney’s own experiences of growing up in Ireland in the 80s. Carney himself attended Synge Street CBS and Conor’s bandmates are inspired by Carney’s own classmates.
Watching Sing Street gave me a Billy Elliot vibe. Focusing on a misunderstood kid, exploring his own emotions, creativity and self-expression in an intolerant world, unintentionally challenging authority. The subtext underneath the joyous and defiant mood; the struggles within the 1980s Irish economy, the restraints of the Catholic faith and the cultural environment of working-class Dublin; provide dramatic worth to a comedic and musical storyline. It’s so deep yet fun and I love it.
Have a look at the Drive It Like You Stole It music video/scene from Sing Street down below. It’s amazing.
“Brother Baxter: Head down to the toilet and remove the makeup right now.
Conor: Why?
Brother Baxter: Because I told you to.
Conor: But I’m in a band. It’s a school band, and I think it’s important that we have a look.
Brother Baxter: You’re a man. Men don’t wear makeup.
Conor: But why not? People in the 18th century wore makeup. That means people like Mozart wore makeup, and he was a man.”